Veteran Indian actor, Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, has died at the age of 89 in Mumbai, bringing to an end a remarkable career that shaped modern Bollywood for more than six decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X on Monday, described the actor’s passing as “the end of an era.”
Dharmendra, fondly known as Bollywood’s “original He-Man,” featured in over 300 films and became one of the industry’s most recognisable faces. He is widely remembered for his role as Veeru in the 1975 classic Sholay, regarded as one of India’s greatest films.
Born on December 8, 1935, in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dharmendra rose from humble beginnings to stardom after winning a nationwide talent search. He moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and made his screen debut in 1960. His breakthrough came with Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963, paving the way for a long list of box-office successes.
Over the years, he delivered memorable performances in films such as Phool Aur Patthar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and the comedy Chupke Chupke. His on-screen chemistry with actress Hema Malini, whom he married in 1980, also became a talking point in the industry.
Although he was never formally crowned Bollywood’s top actor, Dharmendra remained one of its most respected and enduring figures.
He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2012.
His death has continued to draw tributes from fans, colleagues, and political leaders across India.